Shirakawa villege was designated as a world heritage site in 1995. I visited there for the first time a week ago. I was lucky enough to see this beautiful winter snow view. The temp. was around nearly minus, but many tourists was visitting there not to miss the chance to see this view.
Like many other thatched-roof houses in Europe, it is very difficult to preserve, and cost a lot. I think that the old Japanese houses are made of wood which makes us more difficult to preseve, and that is a reason why the number of sites designated as a World heritage is less than in European countries, but there may be other factors.
Shirakawa village in Gifu, a World heritage site.
With snow men....
